Letter containing white powder sent by inmate causes lockdown at city courthouse

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse was placed on lockdown Monday afternoon after an employee opened a letter containing white powder.

It happened on the second floor of the building at 111 North Calvert Street.

Officials say the letter came from an inmate at a state correctional facility.

As a precaution three people, who were in close proximity when the envelope was opened, were taken to a medical facility for further testing.

The fire department says there was no airborne threat. Preliminary testing of the substance detected no biological toxins.

Officials plan to decontaminate the room before reopening it.

The incident forced temporary road closures along the 100 block of North Calvert Street, causing traffic delays throughout Monday afternoon.